Page 27 of Urn My Love

Jazriel’s eyes hardened, then an easy smile spread across his face. “I refused to let them win. My only entertainment was watching how angry I could make them.”

He laid back on the blanket, pulling me down and into his arms. “Now, let me tell you about my idea.”

Curling up against him, I stroked my fingers across his chest.

“Like Icarus, pegasus are drawn to fly as close to the sun as possible. But unlike Icarus, we gain power from it. We are at our weakest during the brief moments of darkness during complete solar eclipses, while solar flares and solar storms supercharge us.”

“That’s amazing!”

Jazriel’s eyes glowed with pride. “Thank you, Flame. There is a solar storm happening now, and in two days’ time, it should be at its peak. If you can replenish your magic by then, I can use those flares to funnel more power through the bond and into you. I don’t know how long until the next storm like this will happen, so this may be our best shot for a while.”

My heart soared with hope. “You can do that? Without harming yourself?”

Jazriel nodded. “I’ve done it many times. In fact, I used it the night I sensed how close you were. That’s when the flares started and I used the burst of energy to burn through most of the drugs in my system and break free.”

“This might work!” Happiness bubbled in my chest, and then I glanced at him through my lashes, feeling suddenly shy. “You were coming to find me?”

Jazriel grimaced. “I was giving it my best shot, but I miscalculated how bad of a condition I was in. When they trapped me on that ledge, I thought it was all over. Then a blue meteor streaked from the sky, turning the tables in an instant. Talk about making an entrance! Your presentation is sharper than a unicorn’s horn.” He rolled onto his back, pulling me on top of him.

“I was happy I made it in time, but I wished I would have known sooner.”

“My precious little mate, you came exactly when I needed you.” Catching my face between his palms, Jazriel kissed the breath from my lungs.

When he pulled away, his face was serious. “You died that night, didn’t you?”

“Yes. I was determined to reach you before they started firing, and my fury made it hard to think clearly.” I rested my head against his warm skin.

“Were you planning to die again if August hadn’t shown up?” His chest rumbled against my cheek.

Reluctantly, I admitted, “I was going to cushion your fall.”

“You’re one crazy, brave woman. How’d I get so lucky?” His fingers trailed down my spine. “August believes you survived by pure luck today. But I want the truth. How many times did you die?”

“Twice.” I chuckled. “I regenerated just in time to be there as I tumbled over the falls to my second death. Worst timing ever.”

Jazriel rolled, tucking me beneath his body. His eyes glittered with a mixture of amusement and exasperation. “You find that funny? I knew you could regenerate, and I was terrified. But poor August didn’t have a clue, and I thought I was going to end up with giant bird crap on me the whole time I ran below him.”

“I think he was more frustrated at being inconvenienced than concerned about my safety,” I murmured.

“I’m a selfish man, and it’s in my best interest to let you believe that so I can keep you to myself. But you’re wrong. August is terrified of the things you make him feel. He sees himself as your mate, and he thought he’d lost you today.” Jazriel brushed the loose strands of hair from my face.

“How could you know that?” I reached up to trace the curve of his lips, but pulled my hand back at the last second and rested it on my chest.

“It’s a gift, you could say.” Jazriel winked, then caught my hand and brought it to his lips. One by one, he sucked each of my fingertips into his mouth, speaking between kisses. “Now, tell me why you keep holding yourself back from touching me.”

“You’re supernaturally beautiful. I’m new to touching and being touched, and it’s intimidating to initiate it with you.” Biting my lip, I kept from adding, and I can’t believe you are attracted to me.

“Just as you are mine, I am yours.” Jazriel leaned down to brush his lips against mine. “I want to feel your touch as often as you are willing to give it. Nothing is off-limits, and for the record, I love PDA.”

My forehead creased, “PDA?”

“Public Displays of Affection,” Jazriel explained. “I want everyone to know I’m yours and I’m happy to show off—it’s a pegasus thing. We have zero embarrassment.”

“I thought pegasus didn’t like being touched.” This time, when I reached up, I traced the line of his lips.

“That’s true of anyone other than our mate.” Jazriel’s tongue darted out to lick my finger. “You can touch me whenever and wherever you like. But yes, I will kill anyone else who touches me.”

I shivered at his nonchalance. It was easy to forget that behind his beauty was a merciless beast who made even a mountain of a man like August nervous.

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